Inherited Property Restrictions Lifted for Housing Benefits

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com

New changes to housing policy have been announced, including the lifting of restrictions on wives using inherited property for benefits, a shift in income assessments to the nomination stage, and a streamlined property allocation process. These adjustments are designed to improve housing availability and better address community needs, focusing on various aspects of housing access and fairness.

Her Excellency Amna Al Rumaihi, Minister of Housing and Urban Planning, confirmed that the Cabinet has approved the revised housing regulations. The modifications remove the previous condition that prevented a wife from using inherited property for housing services. Income requirements will now be reviewed only when issuing a nomination certificate, rather than during the allocation phase. This change aims to maintain consistency in housing requests while not altering criteria for the head of the family when the wife inherits property, thereby improving housing access for different social groups.

Ms. Al Rumaihi also noted that the Ministry has begun implementing these changes, following coordination between legislative and executive branches, a review of numerous cases, and feedback from the national proposals and complaints system, "Tawasul," customer service centres, and communication with MPs.

The Minister endorsed the Cabinet's decision to reorganise nomination certificates by restricting income reviews to before the certificate is issued. This ensures that fluctuations in income will not affect the applicant during the allocation phase.

Additionally, the new rules specify that children over 21 listed in the application will not be considered if the applicant is a widow or divorcee with minor children. This change aims to address housing needs in such situations.

Ms. Al Rumaihi clarified that these updates to Decision No. (909) of 2015 are intended to offer better housing solutions for Bahraini families and enhance the services available to citizens.
Furthermore, the new rules specify that children over 21 listed in the application will not be considered if the applicant is a widow or divorcee with minor children. This aims to address housing needs in such scenarios.

Ms. Al Rumaihi clarified that these updates to Decision No. (909) of 2015 are intended to provide better housing solutions for Bahraini families and enhance the services available to citizens.